The political feasibility of increasing the retirement age:: Lessons from a ballot on the female retirement age

被引:10
作者
Bütler, M [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ Lausanne, CEPR, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
[2] Univ Lausanne, CESifo, DEEP HEC, BFSH1, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
关键词
social security reforms; (female) retirement age; life-cycle decision making;
D O I
10.1023/A:1016555700763
中图分类号
F [经济];
学科分类号
02 ;
摘要
In 1998, the Swiss voters approved of an increase in the female retirement age within the public pension system from 62 to 64. The referendum, being on a single issue only, offers a unique opportunity to explore the political feasibility of pension reforms and to apply theoretical models of life-cycle decision making. Estimates carried out with municipality data suggest that the outcome of the vote conforms well with predictions drawn from a theoretical model. Young agents, elderly and-to a lesser extent-middle-aged men favor an increase in female retirement age, while middle-aged women strongly oppose it. Richer communities and those with a high proportion of self-employed or a low fraction of blue-collar workers are more likely to opt for a higher retirement age. Ideological preferences and regional differences also play a considerable role.
引用
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页码:349 / 365
页数:17
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